Sculptra for the body

This holy grail produces collagen and replaces lost volume helping with the structure, elasticity, and texture of the skin. BOTOX and fillers can be used to replace volume and treat fine lines, but nothing compares to the long-lasting fibroblast stimulation you get from Sculptra which also improves your skin quality. Whether it is treating crepey skin on the decolletage, neck, arms, legs, or abdomen, Sculptra can be used in multiple ways on appropriate candidates.

Why choose Austin Cosmetic Surgery?

When it comes to quality care and a holistic approach to looking and feeling one's best, look no further than Austin Cosmetic Surgery. Led by Dr. Michelle Cabret who has over 20 years of experience in private practice, our medical team lives and breathes cosmetic surgery. We offer an onsite operating room that our patients enjoy for its unparalleled privacy and safety. Dr. Cabret, recently named one of the top 10 cosmetic surgeons in Austin, stands out for her core philosophy - Beauty and Wellness Perfected - aiming to give every patient a comprehensive approach towards achieving their desired outcome.

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How much Sculptra will I need?

Since Sculptra is a biostimulant a healthy immune response is needed for best results, chronic anti-inflammatory use is not recommended and the use of anti-inflammatories two weeks before and after treatment may decrease results.

For full correction, most areas will take 2-3 treatments at 6-week intervals, each visit usually requires 1 to 2 vials (butt augmentation typically requires a minimum of 4).

It takes a skilled provider with specific training on treating these areas and proper preparation of the Sculptra, so make sure to inquire about your provider’s experience and training when getting this procedure done.

Sculptra vs microneedling

Microneedling and Sculptra are both very effective procedures that boost collagen. Microneedling provides subtle collagen production over time and is great for textural changes like fine lines, pore size, and acne or traumatic scars. Sculptra works differently as an injectable biostimulator used to induce deep collagen production for the treatment of more significant volume loss in the face over time.

If you are looking for more preventative or more textural rejuvenation, microneedling is less expensive and very effective. If you are noticing a loss of volume or gravitational changes on your face like drooping, Sculptra can be natural and extremely effective with minimal to no downtime for most patients.

Off-label Sculptra uses

More and more expert injectors are using Sculptra in parts of the body that patients need or desire volume such as the bottom and the chest/decolletage. There are exciting clinical experiences that show intense collagen stimulation with the use of microneedling with SkinPen or ProCell with topical Sculptra.

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Sculptra FAQ

What is Sculptra?

How many treatments of Sculptra will I need?

What results can I expect with Sculptra?

What are the alternatives to Sculptra?

Is Radiesse different from Sculptra?

What is the recovery for Sculptra?

What are the possible side effects of Sculptra?

Can you use platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and Sculptra at the same time?

What is Sculptra?

Sculptra is made from poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and is FDA-approved to stimulate the body’s own natural production of collagen over time. Sculptra is most frequently used to treat mild to severe facial wrinkling by addressing the underlying cause of aging. This can be a loss of good volume in key locations that enhance the aesthetics found in youth.

How many treatments of Sculptra will I need?

On average, one vial per decade of life over three injection sessions spanned across a few months are necessary to achieve desired fullness. Very thin-skinned, lean body massed patients will sometimes require a bit more. The injections are administered by an accomplished cosmetic surgeon, such as Dr. Michelle Cabret, who will determine the number of treatment sessions needed based on pre-treatment volume deficiencies, the level of elasticity, and the individual’s personal genetic response and the desired endpoint. At that point, we typically go into a maintenance mode and re-evaluate our Sculptra patients once a year with most opting for 2 to 3 vials once a year thereafter.

What results can I expect with Sculptra?

After receiving Sculptra injections, initially, you will see a volumized face, due to the fluid infiltration, along with a very minimal amount of swelling. After the initial three days, much of the swelling will fade. At this point, your fibroblasts are at work responding to the seeded poly-L-lactic acid granules placed. You can expect a gradual increase in volume as your body responds to the PLLA granules to promote your body’s own new collagen. The increase typically starts to be noticeable sometimes as early as weeks 3 to 4 and natural volume begins to appear approximately three months after the first session. Results reach their peak four to six months post-treatment. Results are not immediate nor linear with Sculptra.

What are the alternatives to Sculptra?

Fat cells carry stem cells that stimulate our own collagen and elastin like Sculptra and provide an immediate result to volume deficit. Other treatments that provide immediate results are injectables including Radiesse, the Juvéderm product line, or the Restylane line of products. However, the duration of effect varies depending on the filler type that is used, and the area it is placed. The biostimulatory effect of hyaluronic acid filler is not comparable to Sculptra and fat cells. A combination treatment of Sculptra, to stimulate collagen production, followed by a hyaluronic acid filler is also a fantastic combination to provide immediate results with the long term benefits of having a biostimulator.

Is Radiesse different from Sculptra?

With Sculptra, multiple sessions are needed. Not every patient is a suitable candidate for Sculptra as it is a more delayed gratification instead of an immediate event such as with Radiesse. We have seen that very thin, lean patients with speedy natural metabolisms are very happy Sculptra patients after a disappointment with hyaluronic acid (HA) products. Radiesse is FDA approved for collagen build up over time and is best injected in deeper areas and slowly to stimulate the subcutaneous tissue to build collagen. The effects can last 18 to 24 months. It is best to avoid injecting Radiesse near the eyelids. Great care should be taken when injecting in the nasolabial creases and in the lips as Radiesse has unacceptably hardened in some patients. Sculptra can form granulomas that can usually be treated with saline dilution with or without intralesional steroids.

What is the recovery for Sculptra?

Sculptra is a minimally invasive procedure that allows most individuals to return to work the following day. Having injections done on a Friday is common, patients recover over the weekend and return to work on Monday. It is important to do a five-minute massage over the injected areas five times a day for five days. The massages help develop a stronger initial collagen response by stimulating blood flow to the injected areas and provide an even result. They also help to reduce the formation of granulomas. The initial volume seen right after treatment will disappear in about three days as the water and lidocaine of the Sculptra injections are absorbed by the body. In about six weeks patients can usually start to see some effects of the first treatment and expect to see optimal results in about six months. Additional treatment is done at the six and twelve-week follow-up appointments as needed.

What are the possible side effects of Sculptra?

There can be side effects such as bruising, asymmetry, over-correction, under-correction, intra-vasculature injection, and infection. Nodule or granuloma most likely occurs when the injection is too superficial, a higher than recommended concentration is used, or inadequate massaging occurs. Gentle five-minute massages five times a day for five days usually prevent this and/or can help resolve this problem along with intralesional injections. Allergic reactions are rare but have been seen.

Can you use platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and Sculptra at the same time?

The best approach would be doing Sculptra first and allowing sufficient time for the dilutant to resorb before injecting PRP to stimulate the fibroblasts. By injecting micro-particles of poly-lactic acid followed by PRP to stimulate fibroblasts there can be an even greater production of collagen. Multiple peer review studies have shown PRP can be extremely effective, due to its growth factors and cytokines, in reducing fine lines and wrinkles on the face. A combination approach is very effective in thin patients.

Schedule a consultation

To learn more about Sculptra, schedule a consultation with us. Reach out to us by phone or online. Our team at Austin Cosmetic Surgery treats patients in and beyond Austin, Lakeway, Bee Cave, Barton Creek, and Spicewood. Our team is also honored to serve patients from Scottsdale, AZ, and the surrounding areas.

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